The Ethnic-Religious Identity of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26–40: Echoic Allusion, Culture, and Narrative
Ebook
This work examines the background of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. For a comprehensive study, it utilizes echoic allusion, cultural background, and narrative criticism. It explores the textual tradition of Deut 23:1-8 in Jewish literature, with a particular focus on Isaiah's inclusive presentation of "eunuchs" and "foreigners" in contrast to the Deuteronomy stipulation for the assembly of the Lord. This work also explores the ancient practice of castration, the Jewish exiles in Elephantine, and Jewish pilgrimage to reconstruct the cultural background of the Ethiopian eunuch. Additionally, it focuses on Luke's authorial role in presenting the gospel's geographic, ethnic, and religious expansion to identify the Ethiopian's ethnic and religious identity in the narrative development of the three trajectories. The conclusion drawn is that the Ethiopian eunuch cannot be identified as an uncircumcised gentile. Instead, he is more like an African man of Jewish descent, included in the Abrahamic covenant but excluded from the cultic setting of worship in the temple.
“Jongmun Jung’s careful study of Acts 8:26–40 looks at the disputes tied to this text from an array of angles and argues cogently for a solution that makes the most sense of all the cultural factors raised. It helps us to appreciate one element in how the church expanded in its earliest years as the church began to carry out the call to reach people who previously had not been fully appreciated.”
—Darrell L. Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
“In this very careful and detailed study, Jongmun Jung dives into the ethnicity of a somewhat mysterious character, the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8. Marshaling important evidence, the author argues convincingly regarding the man’s background but also how his story fits into Luke’s narrative. Even if you don’t agree with Jung’s conclusion—that the eunuch was an African of Jewish descent—his argument will help you understand Acts 8 better in its literary context.”
—Michael H. Burer, professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary
- Title: The Ethnic-Religious Identity of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26–40: Echoic Allusion, Culture, and Narrative
- Author: Jongmun Jung
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9798385214648, 9798385214624, 9798385214631
- Resource ID: LLS:9798385214648
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-06-12T20:40:08Z
Jongmun Jung was born in South Korea and became a Christian in 1998 while in Brisbane, Australia. He pursued further studies at Liberty and Dallas Theological Seminary, completing his PhD in New Testament studies at DTS in 2023. Currently, Jung serves as a teacher at Bible Baptist Seminary in Incheon, South Korea, and at Alphacrucis College in New Zealand.